The Sufferable Ass » civics

Declaration of Independence

The Ass — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:39:16 +0000

The Declaration of Independence describes the why of our government. It lays out the case for severing ties with the tyrannical English monarchy, and in the process lays the groundwork for a country based on the ideals of liberty, justice, and freedom.

The Declaration at the National Archives – The text of the Declaration online, plus articles, essays, and high-resolution images of the original document.

Project Gutenberg e-Text – Portable electronic versions of the Declaration.

Founding.com – A user’s guide to the Declaration of Independence.

Constitution

The Ass — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:28:28 +0000

The Constitution of the United States describes our system of goverment, of checks and balances and the rule of law. It lays out the how of our goverment.

The Constitution at the National Archives -The text of the Constitution online, plus articles, essays, and high-resolution images of the original document.

Project Gutenberg e-Text – Portable electronic versions of the Constitution.

National Constitution Center – An independent organization dedicated to “increasing public understanding of and appreciation for” the Constitution. Includes the excellent Interactive Constitution.

The Constitution Society -A deep resource on the principles, meaning, and history of the Constitution.

The Founding Documents

The Ass — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:17:31 +0000

The founding documents of the United States of America declare a truly remarkable set of ideals: that all of us are created equal, that we have the right to speak freely and to pursue liberty, that we as citizens have a vital role to play in shaping and maintaining our government.

In order that we in the modern age can live up to the ideals of our Founding Fathers, we must endeavor to understand the basis for our system of government, and to involve ourselves in the process of its evolution. This lens aims to be your starting point for the understanding of American Democracy, in hopes that understanding will lead to a fuller expression of that democracy.

Declaration of Independence

Constitution

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

The Ass — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 06:38:18 +0000

The Bill of Rights is technically part of the Constitution, but it’s character is different enough to be thought of as a separate document. If the Constitution describes how the government works in technical ways, the Bill of Rights describes how the government should relate to the governed; it describes the character of the United States government.

The Bill of Rights at the National Archives – The text of the Bill of Rights online, including essays, articles, and high resolution images of the original document.

Project Gutenberg e-Text – Portable electronic versions of the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights Defense Committee – The BORDC’s mission is to organize and support an effective, national grassroots movement to restore civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Interactive Bill of Rights – From the National Constitution Center.